Amex Losing iShares Listings

In a major blow to the struggling American Stock Exchange, Barclays Global Investors said it would shift the primary listings of its 81 iShares exchange-traded funds to the New York Stock Exchange.

BGI says 61 ETFs will move to the NYSE, while 19 iShares Funds and one grantor trust will jump to the NYSE's planned merger partner, Archipelago. The move is expected to take place in several phases concluding in 2007.

No action is needed by current shareholders. ETFs are index funds whose shares may be bought and sold like common stocks on securities exchanges. The Amex has increasingly focused on attracting listings like the iShares since its primary stock-listing business was sharply eroded by the Nasdaq. Late last year the Amex lost its popular Nasdaq 100 trust listing, which was then known as the QQQ and is now called the QQQQ after its Nasdaq symbol.

"The decision to move the funds follows a yearlong, comprehensive review of the exchanges, during which BGI concluded that the NYSE and ArcaEx have unique attributes and a demonstrated commitment to building the technology and infrastructure that will facilitate trading of iShares products in the future and support the growing iShares business," said Lee Kranefuss, CEO of BGI's Intermediary Business.

BGI's U.S. ETF business has grown from $2 billion in assets with 17 funds when it launched the iShares brand in 2000 to $140 billion with 99 iShares products today.

"We're pleased to strengthen our partnership with the NYSE, which already successfully lists 16 iShares Funds, and to forge a new partnership with ArcaEx, which currently trades approximately 30% of ETF shares traded," Kranefuss added. "Both exchanges will dedicate the new resources required to support this new business."

The Amex took the decision in stride. "The Amex has never been just a listing venue for ETFs, it has always been known as the premier breeding ground for innovation and intellectual capital in the ETF industry," said Cliff Weber, senior vice president of the Amex's ETF marketplace. "We wish BGI well in their efforts."

now all we need is NYSE to go completely electronic and i can finally feel comfortable trading Banks, OILS, home builders without donating like $500 a day to some good old boy, chain smoking, mafia scumbag named Luigi that cant read but makes 2 mil a year Stealing from guys like me

now all we need is NYSE to go completely electronic and i can finally feel comfortable trading Banks, OILS, home builders without donating like $500 a day to some good old boy, chain smoking, mafia scumbag named Luigi that cant read but makes 2 mil a year Stealing from guys like me

Published:
22/07/2005 14:56:00 Electronic brokerage Instinet has posted a 33% drop in net income as revenues dipped seven per cent in the second quarter.

The company, which is being bought by Nasdaq and a consortioum of buy-out partners, reported second-quarter net income of $8 million, compared with $12 million a year earlier. Total revenues fell 7 percent to $259 million.

The firm's institutional brokerage business reported a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $22 million for the second quarter, against a $5 million profit in the first quarter.

The Inet electronic-brokerage turned in a second-quarter pretax profit of $10 million, in line with the first quarter, although revenue fell five per cent sequentially due to lower equity volumes and Nasdaq-listed market share.

The second quarter 2005 results included $25 million in net investment gains, $16 million in severance charges, $5 million in advisory fees and $1 million in asset write-offs.

Chief executive Edward Nicoll described the business environment as "challenging and difficult".

The proposed take-over by Nasdaq and subsequent split of the electronic agency business from the institutional brokerage has been held up by an extended investigation by the US Department of Justice.

Nicoll says: "We continue to work closely with the appropriate regulatory authorities to meet all requests and provide requested information."

Just yesterday I was putting in an order to sell for profit on Amex and their system was down. the stock fell then. I put in a cancel and was still long. After an hour it was up to original sell price and I sold. I checked my positions and they recorded a market sell for my initial order. This short position was far into the money so I doubled my profit on Amex being in disarray.